Tragic news from Port Talbot has left the community in shock. Police took two days to respond to a welfare call, only to discover a man and woman, Craig Hall and Roxanne Williams, dead in their flat. Hall’s mother had earlier raised the alarm, worried he’d breached bail by staying with Roxanne. An inquest heard Roxanne was a bright and courageous woman who found herself trapped in a cycle of domestic abuse, struggling with addiction rather than pursuing her dream of becoming a counsellor.
Despite a series of reported domestic incidents, the police initially treated the call as a bail breach rather than a welfare concern. This mishandling meant crucial opportunities to intervene were lost, although it’s believed they both died before the report was made.
Roxanne’s sister remembers her as full of life and deeply passionate. Sadly, systems designed to protect vulnerable people failed her. The coroner acknowledged errors in the police response but confirmed they’ve taken steps to address these issues.
Roxanne’s story is a somber reminder of the importance of listening and providing proper support to those in need. If you or someone you know is affected by domestic abuse, reach out for help. Visit the Live Fear Free website or call their helpline on 0808 80 10 800. Let’s work together to ensure no more voices go unheard.